Annapolis Oncology, part of AAMC’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, has become one of the first in the nation to be recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The QOPI® Certification Program is a new initiative to certify oncology practices that meet rigorous standards for high-quality cancer care.

QOPI is a voluntary, self-assessment and improvement program launched by ASCO in 2006 to help hematology-oncology and medical oncology practices assess the quality of the care they provide to patients. Through the QOPI program, practices abstract data from patients’ records up to twice per year and enter this information into a secure database. Annapolis Oncology is one of 59 who have currently received the inaugural certification in 2010. More than 640 oncology practices have registered in the QOPI program.

Annapolis Oncology, a group of eight Board Certified Medical Oncologists is a physician practice of the Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, which encompasses comprehensive services ranging from prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment through survivorship. Many different types of professionals contribute to the care of patients in the institute’s programs. The DeCesaris Cancer Institute values and offers supportservices for patients and families, including nurse navigation, education, genetics counseling, psychosocial support and nutrition..

“Annapolis Oncology is proud to be among the first practices to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Peter Graze, M.D., medical oncologist, Annapolis Oncology. “Our practice is driven toward quality patient satisfaction and this certification is evidence of that.”

“This certification recognizes the high level of physician skill, care coordination and attention to patient safety in this practice,” said Barry R. Meisenberg, M.D., medical director, AAMC Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. “We make a commitment to our patients and their families to seek out and offer the most advanced therapies, the best technology and the most skilled physicians, nurses and staff while never losing sight of the fact that successful cancer medicine is about caring, rapport and trust.”

“Increasingly educated patients and families demand accountability and the highest standards from cancer care providers,” said Douglas W. Blayney, MD, immediate past president of ASCO. “The QOPI certification will allow oncologists in the community to be at the forefront of cancer care, and to be recognized for their quality. The Certification Program will help practices determine whether they are providing the best treatment and care possible to their patients, and demonstrate a commitment to excellence and ongoing quality improvement in the hematology-oncology outpatient practice.”

QOPI analyzes individual practice data and compares these to more than 80 evidence-based and consensus quality measures. The information is then provided in reports to participating practices. Individual practices are also able to compare their performance to data from other practices across the country. Based on this feedback, doctors and practices can identify areas for improvement.

The QOPI Certification Program provides a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet standards for quality cancer care.

About AAMC
At Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), we provide acute inpatient and outpatient care on a non-profit basis to the residents of Anne Arundel County, Calvert and Prince George’s counties and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Our mission is to enhance the health of the people we serve, and our vision is Vision 2020: Living Healthier Together. The Geaton and Joann DeCesaris Cancer Institute- An American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer (ACoS-CoC)accredited cancer program is a Pillar service of AAMC , diagnosing and treating more than 1600 new cancers cases per year. For more information, visit www.aahs.org

About ASCO:
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 28,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.Cancer.Net.